Summary
Data engineering roles are expected to be among the best careers in 2025, particularly due to the increasing reliance on data-driven decision-making and the growth of AI and machine learning applications. Data engineers are crucial for building and maintaining the infrastructure that supports these systems, making their skills highly sought after.
By focusing on developing the necessary skills and staying updated on the latest technologies, individuals can build successful and rewarding careers in data engineering in 2025 and beyond.
Source: Gemini AI Overview
The Data Guy – 19/05/2025 (13:36)
In this video, I’ll cover what a standard data engineering roadmap looks like, and what skills/tools you’ll need to have in your toolbelt to progress at each stage!
OnAir Post: Top Data Engineering Jobs
About
Data Engineer Job Outlook 2025
Key Insights
- Python (70%) and SQL (69%) are core pillars, but having an additional language like Java (32%), Scala (25%), or Kafka (24%) on your CV signals strong versatility.
- Apache Spark remains the dominant framework (38.7%), but platforms like Snowflake (29.2%) and Databricks (16.8%) are quickly carving out their own territory.
- Data engineers are expected to work across both relational and NoSQL databases. While Amazon Redshift (21.8%) leads, the demand for skills in Cassandra, MongoDB, and DynamoDB highlights the need for flexibility.
- Data visualization is creeping into the data engineer’s scope — about 1 in 10 job postings now require Tableau, Power BI, or a similar tool.
- Most jobs require 2–6 years of experience. Senior roles (6+ years) are a minority, suggesting that teams are either scaling fast or investing in mid-range hires.
- A bachelor’s degree is still the baseline, appearing in 74% of postings—though 42% specifically require only a bachelor’s. But 26% of job ads don’t even mention education, showing a shift toward skills-first hiring.
- DevOps is clearly becoming part of the data engineer’s daily life. CI/CD is mentioned in nearly 1 out of 6 postings.
Source: 365 Data Science
Why Pursue Data Engineering in 2025
High Demand
Organizations across various industries are actively seeking data engineers to manage and process the ever-increasing volume of data.
Competitive Salaries
Data engineers are well-compensated, with salaries often exceeding those in other tech fields.
Impactful Role
Data engineers play a vital role in building the foundation for data-driven insights, making them essential for business success.
Evolving Technologies
The field is constantly evolving, with new tools and technologies emerging, offering continuous learning and career growth opportunities.
Crucial for AI
Data engineers are critical for building the infrastructure that powers AI systems, solidifying their importance in the future.
Source: Google Gemini Overview
In-Demand Skills for Data Engineers in 2025
- Programming Languages
Proficiency in Python and SQL is essential.
Cloud Platforms: Experience with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform is highly valuable. - Data Warehousing/Lakes
Knowledge of data warehousing and data lake concepts, including tools like Snowflake, Redshift, and BigQuery, is crucial. - ETL and Orchestration
Expertise in ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes and orchestration tools like Apache Airflow is important. - Big Data Technologies
Familiarity with big data technologies such as Hadoop and Spark is beneficial. - Data Modeling
Understanding data modeling principles and techniques is essential.
Source: Google Gemini Overview
Web Links
Videos
Data Engineering Career Roadmap for 2025-26! How to Progress at Each Stage of Your Career!
May 19, 2025 (13:36)
By: The Data Guy
In this video, I’ll cover what a standard data engineering roadmap looks like, and what skills/tools you’ll need to have in your toolbelt to progress at each stage!
